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OWNED BY THE CITY OP CHICAGO AND OPERATED TOR THE BENE
FIT OP THE PEOPLE OP CHICAGO.
I think it would mean, ultimately, ONE TELEPHONE SYSTEM IN
CHICAGO AND THAT OWNED BY THE PEOPLE.
About the only argument that win be advanced in favor of the eity
consenting to fhis-sale is that two phone systems are a nuisance. I agree
to that proposition The telephone business is a natural monopoly, or
should be. But under private ownership the merging of two systems into
one means the public will pay for one service what they formerly paid for
two because WHEN THESE MERGERS TAKE PLACE THE CAPITAL
IZATION OP THE TWO COMPANIES IS MERGED AND THE PEOPLE
HAVE TO PAY THE INTEREST AND PROFIT ON BOTH.
Several years ago J. P. Morgan bought up the independent phone sys
tems m Ohio, with the intention of turning them over to the trust. That
merger has never been completed because before the Ohio public utilities
bill was passed that bill was fixed so the water in the securities of the in
dependent companies couldn't be incorporated in the capitalization of the
merged companies.
But in Chicago the proposition is now even rawer than that Here the
trust wants the city to consent to its purchase of its only competitor, when
that consent carries with it the right to the trust to tax the people in phone
rates and make THEM pay the purchase price.
This deal may go through. I don't know. It may be The Day Book,
which is the only daily newspaper in Chicago that doesn't solicit or accept
advertising from the public service corporations, may not reach enough
readers to make them see the importance of protesting now against council
granting the city's consent to this proposed purchase.
If the people understand it they can arouse public opinion and make it
so strong that council won't dare sell out the rights of the people and their
great opportunity to get a phone system of their own, with a PHONE IN1
EVERY HQME AND SERVICE AT A PENNY A CALL.
If it will save you real dollars every year don't you think that YOU
ought to be a member of the Penny Phone League?
Anyhow, watch The Day Book.
o o
LETTERS TO EDITOR
ARE YOU ONE?
Editor Day Book: Millions believe
in Christ, but there are only a few
isolated ones who follow Him.
Many more pray in His name that
they may prey upon their kind with
good excuse.
To serve civilization and the hu
man race one must first be able to
serve God and self to an extent of
demonstrating the traits and virtues
commendable in man.
Owe no man anything, and you will
be free to own yourself.
Inasmuch as "charity begins at
home," it is well then to "sweep be
f orerae'a own door,"
By the number of laws of a coun
try may be determined its virtues or
its corruptness.
Of all the judges in Christendom,
Jesus, the Christ,-is still supreme, as
he not only culled the Ten Command
ments, abbreviating them by saying:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, all thy mind and
all that Is within thee." The second
is like unto it: "Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself:" But He added
when speaking to his disciples: "A
new commandment I give unto you,
that ye love one another." Helen.
CRUELTY
Editor Day Book: For the benefit
of some of -those readers of The Day